Preview: Georgia vs. Spain - prediction, team news, lineups

La Roja suffered a 2-0 defeat to Scotland in their last qualification fixture in March, while Georgia actually lost by the same scoreline to the same opponents in their last Group A fixture in June.

Match preview

Georgia are second in Group A, picking up four points from their three matches in the section, eight points behind leaders Scotland and level on points with third-place Norway.

It is difficult to pay too much attention to the placings at this stage of the qualification campaign, as Spain are fourth on three points, but they have only played twice, with La Roja taking part in the semi-finals and final of the UEFA Nations League in June.

Willy Sagnol's side started their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with a 1-1 draw against Norway on March 28 before recording a 2-1 victory over Cyprus on June 17, but they will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat away to Scotland on June 20.

Georgia have never qualified for the finals of a European Championship, but they came close to being present at Euro 2020, losing to North Macedonia in the final of the playoffs.

The Crusaders have only won one of their previous five games against Spain, which proved to be a 1-0 success in an international friendly in June 2016.

Spain, meanwhile, opened their Group A campaign with a 3-0 victory over Norway on March 25, but they suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Scotland in their second match in the section three days later.

As mentioned, Luis de la Fuente's side have not been in qualification action since the loss to Scotland, as they played in the latter stages of the UEFA Nations League in June, beating Italy in the semi-finals of the competition before securing the trophy courtesy of a penalty-shootout success over Croatia.

La Roja are fourth in Group A on three points, already nine points behind leaders Scotland, but they have two games in hand on the team at the top of the section, while there is only a one-point gap to second.

Spain are not the team that dominated international football between 2008 and 2012, but it would be a huge shock if they failed to qualify for the finals of next summer's European Championship.

La Roja made the semi-finals of Euro 2020, but they failed to impress at the 2022 World Cup in their last major tournament, being eliminated in the last-16 stage of the competition.

Georgia Euro Champ Qualifying form:

D

W

L

Georgia form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

W

L

Spain Euro Champ Qualifying form:

W

L

Spain form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

W

W

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Team News

Georgia's attack will be led by star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has found the back of the net on 10 occasions for his country in 22 appearances.

Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili is the number one goalkeeper and will be given the nod between the sticks, while the hosts will be captained by experienced centre-back Guram Kashia.

Georges Mikautadze, who plays his club football for Ajax, is also set to be named in the starting XI, but the likes of Otar Kakabadze, Luka Lochoshvili and Nika Kvekveskiri have not been included in the squad.

Barcelona's 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who has made an excellent start to this season, is in the latest Spain squad, and the teenager will be hoping to be given the chance to impress in the team's next two matches, where an appearance would see him become the nation's youngest-ever player.

There are not expected to be any major surprises when it comes to the starting side for this game, though, with captain Alvaro Morata set to lead the line, and he could be supported by Marco Asensio, Gavi and Dani Olmo.

Dani Carvajal and Alejandro Balde are likely to be given the nod in the full-back positions, while Fabian Ruiz is expected to feature in central midfield alongside Rodri on Friday night.

Georgia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Kvirkvelia, Kashia, Dvali; Gocholeishvili, Chakvetadze, Aburjania, Kiteishvili, Azarovi; Mikaudtadze, Kvaratskhelia

Spain possible starting lineup:

Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Balde; Rodri, Ruiz; Asensio, Gavi, Olmo; Morata

We say: Georgia 0-2 Spain

This has the potential to be a tricky match for Spain, and we are expecting Georgia to cause some problems during the course of the match. La Roja will be able to call upon the greater talent all across the pitch, though, and we are expecting the visitors to navigate their way to an important three points.

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